Some people think that it has to be annoying or tedious to secure your home. But there are simple things that you can do on your own. Go over this article to learn more about home security and how you can keep your home safe.

Is your dog kept outside when you are away? This is a good spot for keeping your spare key. Find a place to securely fasten the key to your pet’s collar where it’s not visible. Especially if your dog is not very friendly, this will help keep your key safe.

Don’t ever let it be apparent that there is no one at home. Buy timers so that lights, radios, TVs and all other electronics turn on and off at various times. This helps to create the illusion that someone is presently at home. This is an excellent method for avoiding burglary and keeping your home secure.

When you’re going away, turn off your phone ringers. When burglars hear phones ringing for an extended period of time in a home, they know that there is no one there to answer.

You can hide your spare key on your dog. But, this is only effective if your home has a pet door or your dog stays outdoors when you are not home. Hide a key inside the collar of your dog in case you need a spare.

Consult with your police department to find out about good programs for home protection. Many have quite a few helpful programs that you take, like on self-defense or other things related to your home. Contact your local police department to find out if they offer this type of program.

Spare Key

Your home security system ought to be checked each year. Ask someone from your security company to come over and have a look. A number of things may cause your alarm system to have problems, including mother nature and wild animals. If the problem cannot be seen, you probably won’t even realize there is one.

Does your canine stay in the yard while you go out? This pet may be an excellent storing spot for your spare key. Attach your spare key inside the collar of your dog. If your pet does not get along with strangers, this will ensure your spare key stays safe.

Avoid being shy. Talk to your neighbors. Ask them to keep an eye on your home, and do the same thing for them. You never want to ignore gossip. You may stumble across valuable security information, like if someone has noticed a stranger lurking around the neighborhood.

When you decide to purchase a home alarm system, make sure you comparison shop. Prices for home security systems can vary and they do not all offer the same services. Get quotes from several companies so that you can get the best price for your home security system.

Listen to your intuition as to whether your system is being installed by a trustworthy home security company. If the installers make you feel uncomfortable, heed your feelings. Ask the company to send a different installer or simply change companies. After all, you’re investing in a system that helps you to feel safe, so make sure the process involved in obtaining that system does the same.

Don’t announce your vacation agenda on your social networks. This is especially true if you have lots of unfamiliar “friends”. There may be a thief within this list and you would have been inviting him straight through your front door!

After bringing home a big-ticket item, such as an appliance or electronic device, avoid leaving the packages on the curb before trash day. Doing so is like giving a burglar an invitation to target your home; he or she will know there is something good inside.

In the summertime, you should rid your yard of dead bushes and vegetation. As the summer heat rolls in, there is a higher chance that these can catch on fire, putting your home at risk. Keep your yard clear of debris to keep your house safe.

Always ask for references before letting a contractor or a maid in your home. A background check which includes any criminal history is warranted. Someone can seem nice and professional on the outside, but they may not be so nice on the inside.

The fist thing you’ll need to do for home security is to get new locks. Maybe you’ve had a roommate leave or a bitter ex-lover, so changing the locks can keep you safer. It is generally cheap and may be done in a little under a day.

Keep safety at the forefront when landscaping your property. The doors and windows of your home should not be obstructed by trees, fences or shrubs. Do not give robbers a chance to hide in any area. Keep this in mind as you design.

Walls are a great hiding spot for your valuables. You can hide small, valuable items inside the walls of your home. All you need is a wall opening you’re not using (something like a phone jack, electrical box, or switch plate). You can also install a fake one.

Have a home security company come to your house and come up with a system that best suits your needs. Everyone has different needs, and your security system should be designed to protect your home and family. A custom set-up will make sure you’re as safe as can be.

Regardless of how long you plan on being away from your home, always lock all the doors and windows whenever you leave. In a lot of cases, home intruders enter through unlocked doors. It does not take long for thieves to steal a lot from your home.

Consider your own personal safety needs and security risks before exploring home security systems. They aren’t the right fit for everyone. Sometimes you may just want to invest in a dog or self-defense classes. See to it that you understand the risks involved in making these purchasing decisions.

Make sure the wires of your home security system are completely hidden. A burglar will simply cut the wires if he can see them. Hide them in the walls or bury them underground to keep people from tampering with them. This way, you will be safer.

If you get home and the door is open, don’t go in. The thief may remain inside. Call the cops and let them do the initial walk through.

Checking out security firms online is a great idea. Look at many websites and read customer reviews about the various services. You’ll find it easy to narrow your choice down to three top contenders; your next step is to arrange to meet each of them to discuss your specific security needs.

Dogs are an excellent way to protect your home. Man’s best friend is very territorial and makes a lot of noise during anything happening out of the ordinary. It is not necessary to have an aggressive dog. A small or medium dog will bark to alert you if it is properly trained.

Have home-security companies come to your home so they can design the best possible system for it. Different people require different plans. If you have found a company that could cater to your needs, then it is easy to get the security that will make you and your loved ones comfortable.

Put some extra thought into concealing your spare keys. It is easy to spot a rock that is fake. Doormats are generally the first spot a person would look. Just leave your key with someone you trust. If that option isn’t available to you, be creative with your hiding spots.

Does your security company offer leasing and buying? You can avoid interest rates by buying the security system right away. Leasing is cheaper, but it can involve contracts and pricier monthly fees. Investigate each option and determine which makes more sense.

If your door has a numeric keypad lock, never make its password your birth date. Personal information, such as a birthday can be acquired on the Internet. If you use this as your password, you may make it easy for a burglar to rob you. You should choose a number no one else will be able to guess and change it regularly.

Make sure that your key is in a hidden place. The classic fake rock is too common and too easy to detect. Hiding a key under the doormat is even worse; this cliched tactic will fool no one. A safer option is entrusting a neighbor or one of your most trusted friends to keep your spare key. If that isn’t an option, be creative with a hiding spot.

If you have windows into your living room that open to the street, always draw your curtains in the evening. It’s best to discourage peeping toms. If the crooks can see what you own, then they are going to target you next. Be discreet about what the public can see and you can reduce your chances of getting burglarized.

Always keep valuables you can’t replace secure. Irreplaceable valuables, including financial records, family photos, legal documents, passports, etc., should be secured at all times. Floor safes are great for keeping items secure in your home. A better idea could be to store these inside a box outside of your house.

It is always best to go with a solid heavy wooden door, or a metal door for extra security. Metal and solid wooden doors hold tight and fast. A burglar is very unlikely to be able to kick in a solid wood or metal door. The cost of replacing your doors is worth it in the end.

If your door is not made out of solid wood or metal, you should replace it. Those are the doors that last. This makes it much harder for a burglar to kick in a door. You are probably able to replace your exterior doors for a small price, so do that soon.

Take to your security company, and find out if they have motion activated lights. This is often an option from a good company. Motion sensitive lighting turns on when a person approaches your home in the dark. This further protects you from having unwanted guests enter your home.

Buying home alarms is terrific, but only in the case where someone will contact the police when they sound. The only way to ensure this is to use a system that calls the police for you. The neighbors will not always call.

Sliding doors are a huge security issue. They are easily unlocked just by lifting and shaking. If your security system is not connected to the doors, cut a board or pipe the exact length of the door channel, and drop it in the space to secure the doors. This will ensure the door stays tightly shut and it is difficult to force open.

Glass Doors

Neighborhood gossip does not always have to be tedious and immature. These individuals are aware when anything suspicious happens in the neighborhood and can alert you if strangers have been hanging around. By being friends with them, the probability of them notifying you immediately is higher.

Sliding glass doors pose large security issues in homes. The glass doors can easily be unlocked or broken. If a security system isn’t attached to these doors, then insert pipe to place into the door channel. This keeps your door closed tightly and it will make it much harder to open forcibly.

It is always best to not put your expensive belongings on display in the windows where everyone can see. By not taking steps to conceal expensive items, you leave yourself open to becoming the victim of a robbery. Install blinds or drapes so people cannot see inside your home. Keep your most valuable items away from windows.

Home security systems aren’t the only way to ensure your family is safe. Whether you feel comfortable buying a gun, putting up a fence or adding extra locks to your doors, you have several options. You should use these tips to keep your home safe.

Keep carbon monoxide and smoke detectors clean. Lint and dust can build up and this can affect the sensors. Thus, it is important to clean your detectors periodically.